Mercer University Libraries

The Fresh Food Company recently relocated to Penfield Hall. However, this is not the first time Penfield Hall has served as a dining hall. Penfield Hall was built in 1922 as a dining hall and named the Daniel Marshall Hall after the pioneer Georgia Baptist preacher. The April 1922 Bulletin featured photos and information about the new dining hall. Some features of the new building included imported mahogany bentwood chairs, a coat and hat corridor, a fully equipped bake shop, and a meat and vegetable preparation room. The building served as a dining hall until 1930.

1 Month until Mercer Football returns! Who is ready?

(Photo is from the 1934 Mercer Football game against Washington and Jefferson College)

From the 1930s through the 1960s, freshmen students were required to participate in Rat Week by the upperclassmen. Some of the rules for Rat Week included wearing rat caps and performing favors for the upperclassmen. On certain days during Rat Week, the freshmen would have to perform different tasks such as carrying their books in a suitcase, wearing an onion around their neck, and being paraded through downtown while singing Mercer songs. On the last day of Rat Week, the boys would wear their shirts backwards, and girls were to have 13 braids on one side of their hair and the other side kept natural. The week culminated with the Rat Court which determined if the freshmen had followed the rules. If not, students would be required to perform menial tasks.

Hi Bears! Mercer University Libraries will be adjusting our in-person services hours for the Summer Intersession starting July 25. The 24/7 spaces at the Swilley and Tarver Libraries will remain accessible with a current Bear Card.

Happy Cow Appreciation Day!

(Photo from the Louie D. Newton Collection)

Phone booth stuffing was a popular fad in the 1950s that involved seeing how many people could fit in a telephone booth at one time. In 1959, members of Mercer’s Sigma Nu fraternity attempted to break the Georgia state phone-boothing record. After an unsuccessful attempt downtown at the corner of Third and Cherry, the students made another attempt on campus. According to the 1959 Cauldron, the students moved the phone booth from Shorter Hall to the green area by the cafeteria and stuffed as many students as possible inside. Ultimately, 26 students were able to fit their torsos in the phone booth to achieve the state record.

Happy 250th Birthday America! In honor of the country’s bicentennial in 1976, Mercer Atlanta’s yearbook the Phoenix featured a patriotic theme.

We hope everyone has a happy and safe 4th of July!

In honor of the World Cup, we are sharing some throwback photos of Mercer Men's Soccer.

Hi Bears! In observance of the 4th of July holiday, the Mercer Libraries will be altering our in-person services hours from July 2 through July 4.

The 24/7 spaces at the Swilley and Tarver Libraries will remain accessible with a current Bear Card.

Happy National Mascot Day to our favorites Toby and Tot!